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Low BMI associated with cardiac tamponade during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation
A recent analysis of a large nationwide database of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who underwent ablation has reported an independent association between being...
Systematic review and meta-analysis finds P-wave duration to increase risk of AF recurrence after...
In their updated meta-analysis of 4,175 patients, Stergios Intzes together with a team from the Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupoli, Greece and the Heart...
Catheter ablation shown to reduce mortality and hospitalisation in patients with atrial fibrillation and...
An analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) has found catheter ablation reduces mortality and heart failure hospitalisations in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and...
Study compares risk of dementia in AF patients undergoing catheter ablation versus drug-therapy
Biosense Webster has announced the publication of data from a study comparing the risk of dementia in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who were...
Catheter ablation of AF “increased cerebral blood flow”, observational study finds
Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) has favourable effects on cerebral blood flow, particularly in non-paroxysmal AF, research published in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology.
The results...
Catheter ablation “economically attractive” compared to drug therapy for AF
Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) was economically attractive compared with drug therapy in the CABANA (Catheter ablation versus antiarrhythmic drug therapy for atrial...
AF Symposium 2022: Latest evidence for lattice tip catheter ablation strategies shared
Pulsed-field ablation (PFA) and/or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) using a lattice-tip catheter can both isolate pulmonary veins (PVs) and create linear lesions efficiently and safely,...
Same-day discharge for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation deemed safe and feasible
A recent systematic review and meta-analysis, published in the Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology, has deemed same-day discharge following catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation...
HRS 2021: CABANA analysis points to economic case for catheter ablation
A new analysis of the CABANA (Catheter ablation versus antiarrhythmic drug therapy for atrial fibrillation) suggests that catheter ablation offers positive economic outcomes compared...
HRS 2021: Early VT catheter ablation beats medical therapy in patients at risk for...
Results of the PAUSE-SCD trial show a significant reduction in risk of ventricular tachycardia (VT) recurrence, cardiovascular hospitalisation, and death when catheter ablation is...
CABANA trial shows favourable results for catheter ablation among ethnic minority patients
Among racial or ethnic minority patients enrolled in the North American cohort of the CABANA (Catheter ablation versus antiarrhythmic drug therapy for atrial fibrillation)...
AHA statement on AF and HFrEF positive for catheter ablation
The American Heart Association (AHA) has this week issued a scientific statement on the management of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with heart failure...
AF Symposium 2021: HARTCAP-AF supports hybrid over catheter ablation
Hybrid ablation, a procedure which involves “attacking” the atrial substrate from the epicardium and endocardium, has been shown to result in significantly higher freedom...
AF Symposium 2021: Hybrid, multidisciplinary therapy superior to catheter ablation for long-standing persistent AF
Results of a sub-analysis of the CONVERGE clinical trial, presented during a late-breaking trial session at the digital AF Symposium (29–31 January, virtual), suggest...
Catheter ablation linked to lower incidence of dementia in AF patients
People with atrial fibrillation (AF) have a reduced risk of dementia if they undergo catheter ablation to restore the normal rhythm of their heart,...
Paper highlights use of robotic system for catheter ablation in COVID-19 patients
Stereotaxis has announced the publication of a paper in the European Heart Journal highlighting the benefits of using robotic technology for the management of...
Virtual ACC: Ethanol infusion in vein of Marshall improves catheter ablation outcomes
The infusion of ethanol via the vein of Marshall (VOM), coupled with catheter ablation, leads to improved outcomes for patients with persistent atrial ablation, according to the findings of a study presented by...
Tackling focal VT may improve catheter ablation in structural heart disease
Uncovering and abolishing focal ventricular tachycardia (VT) may further improve outcomes of catheter ablation in the treatment of structural heart disease, a study published...
ESC 2019: Catheter ablation may be up to 10 times more effective than drug...
Results from the Atrial fibrillation progression trial (ATTEST) were presented on 31 August at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2019 in Paris,...
ESC 2019: Guidelines on supraventricular tachycardias underline pivotal role of catheter ablation
The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) unveiled guidelines for treatment of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) on the opening day of its Congress (ESC 2019; 31...
Biomarkers may predict AF after catheter ablation
Researchers have identified a combination of serum biomarkers that is independently associated with higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation, and with increased incidence and recurrence...
New guidelines for cardiovascular disease management during pregnancy: Risk-dependent action plans and upgraded recommendations...
New guidelines for the management of cardiovascular diseases during pregnancy, including upgraded recommendations of catheter ablation and risk-dependent action plans, were presented by Carina...
Thoracoscopic ablation and left atrial appendage excision found to be superior to catheter ablation...
Symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with previous failed catheter ablation or structural changes associated with higher recurrence of AF could benefit from thoracoscopic ablation...
Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation results in higher complication rates when compared to catheter...
The total procedure-related complications after surgical minimally invasive pulmonary vein isolations (MIPI) were higher; this was mainly due to more major complications. During a...
Apixaban is a safe alternative to warfarin during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation and...
Apixaban and warfarin are equally safe during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation, according to results of the AXAFA-AFNET 5 (Anticoagulation using the direct factor...
Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: Lessons and developments
It was a year of big results for catheter ablation, continuing the procedure’s steady rise in atrial fibrillation (AF) management. Mark O’Neill, consultant cardiologist...
Results of CASTLE-AF trial published: catheter ablation better than conventional drug therapy for atrial...
The results of the CASTLE-AF study, published today in the New England Journal of Medicine, show that patients treated with radiofrequency catheter ablation rather than...
Measuring outcomes after catheter ablations for AF
Published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC): Clinical Electrophysiology, Björkenheim et al’s study of patient- and physician-reported outcomes of atrial...
Catheter ablation lowers mortality in atrial fibrillation patients with heart failure
Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation significantly reduces mortality and hospitalisation in atrial fibrillation patients with heart failure in comparison with conventional treatment, data from...
ISCAT: 12th International symposium on catheter ablation techniques
W: www.iscat.net
21st Prague Workshop on Catheter Ablation
W: www.ablationworkshop.com
Catheter ablation is superior to amiodarone in the treatment of patients with heart failure...
New research indicates that catheter ablation may achieve greater long-term freedom from atrial fibrillation, as well as a reduction in unplanned hospitalisation and mortality...
Radiofrequency catheter ablation shows benefits for recurrent ventricular tachycardia patients
A prospective, multicentre study—THERMOCOOL VT—analysing a cohort of non-randomised patients, published in February in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, has shown...
11th International Symposium on Catheter Ablation Techniques (ISCAT)
W: www.iscat.net
Catheter ablation superior to amiodarone for patients with persistent atrial fibrillation and heart failure
Speaking at the 2015 American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Session, Luigi Di Biase reported that-compared with the antiarrhythmic drug amiodarone-catheter ablation significantly increases the rate of freedom of recurrence in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
Ventricular tachycardia treatment with robotic catheter ablation shows positive results
A study undertaken in the UK has shown that radiofrequency ablation of scar-related ventricular tachycardia, using robotic navigation, is safe and feasible and has resulted in 95% reduction in total implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy burden at six months.
The challenge of catheter ablation in congenital heart disease patients
Dominic Abrams (Division of Cardiac Electrophysiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, USA) writes on the importance of arrhythmia management in congenital heart disease patients and identifies the reasons why it remains a major challenge for interventional eletrophysiology.
Population-based study confirms radiofrequency catheter ablation as safe and effective in paediatric patients
A new population-based study confirms previous study reports that radiofrequency catheter ablation is a safe method of arrhythmia treatment in children with long-term cumulative efficacy exceeding 90%, and a highly significant decrease in the procedure and fluoroscopy time during the study period.
First Latin American registry of catheter ablation of cardiac arrhythmias
Luis Aguinaga and Roberto Keegan give an overview on the design and initial results of the first Latin American catheter ablation of cardiac arrhythmias registry led by the Latin American Society of Electrophysiology and Cardiac Stimulation (SOLAECE).
Insights into BERLIN study of catheter ablation for ventricular tachycardia treatment
The BERLIN study is a prospective, multicentre study that seeks to determine the best time for catheter ablation in the treatment of patients with sustained ventricular tachycardia and coronary artery disease.
Catheter ablation may reduce stroke risk in atrial fibrillation patients
A first of its kind study has shown that patients with atrial fibrillation who undergo catheter ablation have a lower stroke risk than patients who do not undergo the procedure independent of CHADS2 score.
Idiopathic ventricular tachycardia: transcatheter ablation or antiarrhythmic drugs?
Claudio Tondo (Milan, Italy) analyses the best treatment options for different kinds of idiopathic ventricular tachycardias. He will be talking about this subject at Venice Arrhythmias (27-29 October, Venice Italy).
AlluraClarity reduces radiation in image-guided catheter ablation trial in The Netherlands
The Catharina Hospital (Eindhoven, The Netherlands) and Royal Philips has announced the results of a clinical study involving the treatment of 136 patients with complex heart rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation.
How to prevent complications of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation
John D Day (Murray, USA) has performed more than 3,000 catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation procedures. Based on his experience, he describes five basic principles to minimise the risk of serious complications.
EFFICAS I study yields new contact force guidelines in catheter ablation treatment of AF
Results from the EFFICAS I, a prospective multicentre study sponsored by Endosense, have led to the development of guidelines for target and minimum contact force, as well as minimum force time integral, during the catheter ablation treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
Successful catheter ablation may reduce total mortality
A study recently published in EP Europace has shown that successful catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation may reduce the risk of total mortality, cardiovascular mortality and total vascular events in patients with an increased risk of stroke.
Endosense secures US$40.3 million series c financing to advance cardiac arrhythmias treatment with catheter...
Proceeds will be used to support commercialisation of the recently European introduction of the third-generation TactiCath Quartz force-sensing catheter; development of next generation products; completion of the TOCCASTAR investigational device exemption clinical study follow-up and FDA approval submission for the TactiCath.
Catheter ablation can be performed safely while a patient is on uninterrupted warfarin
Stephen Page and Richard Schilling, St Bartholomew's Hospital, UK, explain why catheter ablation can be performed safely in most patients with uninterrupted warfarin.
Radiofrequency catheter ablation is safe and effective in the octogenarian patient with atrial fibrillation
A study published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology shows that catheter ablation of octogenarians with atrial fibrillation is as safe and effective as catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in younger patients
Catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia in patients with ARVD/C significantly reduces the burden of...
A new study, published in Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, indicates that catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia is an important treatment option in patients with ARVD/C, despite a high rate of ventricular tachycardia recurrence, because it reduces the burden of the arrhythmia
Surgical ablation is more effective but has more procedure-related adverse events than catheter ablation
A trial, simultaneously published online in Circulation and presented at the annual scientific sessions of the American Heart Association (AHA; 12-16 November, Orlando, Florida) has found that minimally invasive surgical ablation is more effective than catheter ablation but is also associated with more procedure-related adverse events
Gender does not affect periprocedural complications or long-term results of catheter ablation
Despite influencing the epidemiology, pathology, and clinical presentation of cardiac arrhythmias, gender does not appear to affect periprocedural complications and outcomes of catheter ablation, according to a study presented by Sonia Ammar, Munich, Germany at EHRA-Europace in Madrid, Spain.
Endosense and GE Healthcare sign joint development agreement to improve catheter ablation procedures
The agreement will integrate the contact-force data provided by Endosense into GE's CardioLab electrophysiology recording and Innova imaging platforms.
Symptoms and quality of life improved with catheter ablation in AF patients
Patients who were treated with catheter ablation reported fewer symptoms and improved quality of life than patients treated with anti-arrhythmia drugs at one year.
Paroxysmal and non-paroxysmal AF patients benefit from repeat catheter ablation
Isolation of the pulmonary vein antrum and the superior vena cava using intracardiac echocardiography and circular mapping can achieve encouraging cure rates.
Cost-effectiveness of atrial fibrillation catheter ablation
Panos E Vardas, president of the European Heart Rhythm Association, analyses the trend on expanding the existing indications and usage of ablation.
Mixed evidence on use of radiofrequency catheter ablation for AF
Report funded by the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality calls for more research on the effect of catheter ablation on quality of life.
Mayo Clinic receives US$48 million in grants to study catheter ablation for AF
The CABANA trial is designed to determine whether catheter ablation is more effective than drug therapy for the treatment of atrial fibrillation.
Expert consensus statement on the catheter ablation of ventricular arrhythmias is released
State-of-the-art review of catheter ablation of VT by an international panel of experts was released during the Heart Rhythm Society's 30th Annual Scientific Sessions.
One in 1,000 risk of death from catheter ablation for AF
Analysis of data from 162 centres worldwide between 1995 and 2006 showed that tamponade caused the highest number of fatalities, followed by stroke and atrioesophageal fistula.
Dual energy AF ablation catheter begins evaluation in SmartfIRE clinical trial
Biosense Webster has announced the first cases with its investigational Thermocool Smarttouch SF dual energy catheter have taken place as part of the SmartfIRE...
Medtronic completes enrolment in pulsed field ablation catheter trial for patients with AF
Medtronic has announced enrolment completion and final treatment in the SPHERE Per-AF, a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) trial....
Heliostar radiofrequency balloon ablation catheter gets European launch
Biosense Webster has announced the European launch of the Heliostar radiofrequency balloon ablation catheter. Heliostar is indicated for use in catheter-based cardiac electrophysiological mapping...
Freezor cardiac cryoablation catheters approved to treat paediatric AVNRT
Medtronic has announced that the Freezor and Freezor Xtra cardiac cryoablation catheters are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat...
First post-approval procedures performed using Heliostar balloon ablation catheter
Biosense Webster, part of the Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies has announced post-approval procedures were successfully performed with the Heliostar radiofrequency balloon ablation...
Expanded FDA approval for Medtronic’s Arctic Front cryoablation catheter
Medtronic has received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded approval for the Arctic Front family of cardiac cryoablation catheters for the treatment of...
Galaxy Medical and Japan Lifeline enter distribution agreement for pulsed electric field focal ablation...
Galaxy Medical (Galaxy) and Japan Lifeline (JLL) have announced an exclusive distribution agreement for the ALPHA1 ablation catheter in the USA, developed by Japan...
Biotronik receives CE mark for AICath Force ablation catheter
Biotronik has announced CE mark approval for the AlCath Force the gold-tipped force sensing ablation catheter system.
The AlCath Force was designed specifically to show...
US FDA approves Biosense Webster’s Thermocool Smarttouch SF ablation catheter
Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies has announced the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Biosense Webster’s Thermocool Smarttouch SF ablation catheter...
Biosense Webster receives CE mark approval for QDot Micro ablation catheter
Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices has today announced European CE mark approval of Biosense Webster’s QDot Micro radiofrequency (RF) ablation catheter.
According to a press...
Adagio Medical reports pre-clinical success combining cryoablation catheter with pulsed field ablation
Adagio Medical, developer of the intelligent Continuous Lesion Ablation System (iCLAS), has announced successful pre-clinical results demonstrating its existing cryoablation catheter is also capable...
Durablate catheter results demonstrate feasibility in VT ablation
Thermedical has announced that results from a first-in-human early feasibility study (EFS) using the Durablate catheter to treat ventricular tachycardia (VT) were presented in...
Contact force sensing catheters “safe and effective” in persistent AF ablation
Contact force (CF) sensing catheters have been shown to be safe and effective in persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, according to the findings of...
Novel lattice tip catheter safe, feasible, and durable in RF ablation
Rapid high-current, temperature-controlled point-by-point pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and linear ablation has been shown to be clinically feasible and safe in a first-in-human study...
First-in-human study demonstrates safety and efficacy of QDOT MICRO ablation catheter
Data presented at Heart Rhythm 2019 (8–11 May, San Francisco, USA) and published in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology indicates that the QDOT MICRO (Biosense Webster),...
First AF patient treated in US IDE study evaluating QDot Micro RF ablation catheter
It was recently announced that Biosense Webster has enrolled and treated the first patient in its US Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) study, which evaluates...
First patient treated in STELLAR US study evaluating next-generation balloon ablation catheter for atrial...
Biosense Webster has enrolled and treated the first patient in its STELLAR US investigational device exemption (IDE) study. The study will evaluate the safety...
Adagio Medical treats first atrial fibrillation patients using new One Shot+ cryoablation catheter
Adagio Medical, the developer of the iCLAS technology—the company's ultra-low temperature intelligent continuous lesion ablation system for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias—announces that the...
US Patent Office allows AblaCor five ablation catheter-anchoring patents
AblaCor medical corporation has announced that it has received a notice of allowance from the United States Patent & Trademark Office on five additional patents for...
Medtronic initiates global trial of Arctic Front Advance cardiac cryoablation catheter
Medtronic has enrolled the first participants in the STOP Persistent AF clinical trial. The trial will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a pulmonary...
US FDA approves expanded indication for Medtronic Freezor Xtra cryoablation catheter
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Medtronic’s Freezor Xtra cryoablation catheter for treating patients with atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia (AVNRT). The...
Osypka AG launches 8mm gold-tipped Cerablate Flutter ablation catheter
According to a company release, the new device is ideal for maximum voltage guided ablation of atrial flutter.
The Cerablate Flutter is a newly designed...
First patient enrolled in the GOLD AF registry of Medtronic’s PVAC Gold ablation catheter
Medtronic has announced the first patient enrolment in the GOLD AF registry, a first-of-its-kind, prospective, observational clinical study of its Phased Radiofrequency (RF) Ablation technology for treating patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation.
St Jude Medical announces FDA approval of FlexAbility Ablation Catheter
The FlexAbility catheter features a handle and shaft combination that allows for improved maneuverability, enabling electrophysiologists to reach challenging anatomic locations within their patients' hearts.
St Jude Medical receives FDA approval of TactiCath Quartz Contact Force Ablation Catheter
St Jude Medical has announced the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of its TactiCath Quartz irrigated ablation catheter, the company's newest technology that gives physicians a real-time, objective measure of the force that the catheter applies to a patient's heart wall during an ablation procedure.
SMART-AF trial shows AF ablation with contact force sensing catheter is safe and effective
Results from the SMART-AF trial, recently published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, have shown that the ThermoCool SmartTouch contact force-sensing catheter is safe and effective for the treatment of drug-refractory symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
Study finds nMARQ ablation catheter fast and effective for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial...
A recent feasibility study has found irrigated multi-electrode radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation using the novel 10-pole circular, open-irrigated mapping and ablation catheter nMARQ device (Biosense Webster) to be fast and effective.
St Jude Medical announces CE mark approval and first use of FlexAbility ablation catheter
The device has been designed to reduce complications associated with ablation procedures through its ability to bend and conform to the cardiac anatomy, decreasing the amount of pressure distributed to a patient's heart wall while simultaneously increasing the stability of therapy delivery.
Advanced Cardiac Therapeutics announces new financing for TempaSure cardiac ablation catheter for treatment of...
The financing, which was led by New Enterprise Associates and supported by existing investor, NBGI Ventures, will enable the company to continue to advance its next generation TempaSure ablation catheters and related clinical development programme.
Therapy Cool Flex Ablation Catheter and Cardiac Ablation Generator get FDA approval
The FDA has approved St Jude Medical's Therapy Cool Flex Ablation Catheter and Cardiac Ablation Generator for the treatment of atrial flutter.
FDA approval for IntellaTip MiFi XP ablation catheter and 510(k) clearance of Zurpaz 8.5F...
Boston Scientific Corporation has announced it has received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of its IntellaTip MiFi XP catheter and 510(k) clearance of its Zurpaz 8.5F steerable sheath. The IntellaTip is indicated for ablation of atrial flutter.
FDA approval and first use of MediGuide enabled ablation catheters announced
St Jude Medical announced on 15 August that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its MediGuide enabled ablation catheters. The catheter can be tracked using 3D visualisation on previously recorded fluoroscopic images in real time.
Boston Scientific completes first-in-human clinical trial of the IntellaTip MiFi XP Ablation Catheter for...
A company release states that this new line of ablation catheters is designed to provide physicians with high resolution, precise, multidimensional information through sophisticated micro-sensors at the tip of the catheter.
First US case performed with Endosense’s Tacticath Quartz contact-force sensing ablation catheter
The first US case was performed on 31 January 2013 as part of an amended protocol of the company's TOCCASTAR investigational device exemption clinical study of the TactiCath called the TOCCASTAR Supplemental Clinical Study.
First patient treated in trial to evaluate the safety and performance of the Blazer...
The ZERO AF study will include up to 33 sites in the USA, Europe and Asia-Pacific, and the results will be used to support a FDA submission for a paroxysmal AF indication.
Gold-tip ablation catheters create lesions 33% faster than platinum-iridium-tip catheters
Results from the GOLDEN TIME study have shown that gold-tip radiofrequency ablation catheters enable faster, more efficient ablation procedures than platinum-iridium-tip catheters.
TactiCath Quartz Force-Sensing Ablation Catheter gets CE mark approval
Endosense and Biotronik have announced that Endosense's TactiCath Quartz force-sensing ablation catheter has been CE mark approved in Europe.
“The future of AF ablation catheter technologies”: A new report reveals the potential of...
Design and technology consultancy Cambridge Design Partnership has announced that it has completed a research project to identify the future of medical technology to treat atrial fibrillation.
First atrial flutter patient treated with novel MRI ablation catheter
The development of this novel catheter, specially designed to be used with magnetic resonance imaging, could represent a significant new opportunity for improved therapy of complex cardiac arrhythmias.
Mount Sinai performs first US cardiac ablation using contact force-sensing catheter to treat atrial...
The first catheter ablation procedure was performed at the end of February by Vivek Y. Reddy, director of the Cardiac Arrhythmia Service at Mount Sinai Heart and colleagues.
First clinical ablation cases in the EU using the Thermocool Smarttouch contact force sensing...
The CE-marked Thermocool Smarttouch catheter provides an important new parameter for the mapping and ablation of complex cardiac arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation.
TOCCASTAR IDE study of TactiCath force-sensing ablation catheter (Endosense) is launched
TOCCASTAR will explore a new catheter ablation treatment option for patients who have symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and who are resistant or intolerant to at least one Class I-IV anti-arrhythmic drug.
New Lynx robotic irrigated ablation catheter is presented at Venice Arrhythmias
Hansen Medical showcased the small, flexible irrigated ablation catheter for the first time. CE mark is expected in the first half of 2010.
CardioFocus receives CE mark for AF ablation catheter
The device incorporates a micro-endoscope and light energy fibres to give physicians the capacity to see within the heart and visually direct the application of energy through a catheter.
Endosense receives CE mark for TactiCath force-sensing ablation catheter
Approval was granted based on select data submitted from the TOCCATA clinical study, which was performed by 17 experienced investigators at eight European centres.
Medtronic receives CE Mark approval for Affera mapping and ablation system to treat arrhythmias
Medtronic has announced today that it has received CE Mark for the Affera mapping and ablation system, which includes the Sphere-9 catheter and the...
Inpatient AF ablation associated with early mortality and post-procedure complications, study finds
Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation carried out in an inpatient setting is associated with higher rates of early mortality and subsequent complications when compared with...
Abbott announces European and US approvals for ablation technologies
Abbott has today announced receipt of the CE mark for the TactiFlex ablation catheter, sensor enabled (SE), alongside US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)...
Varian receives IDE for RADIATE-VT cardiac radioablation clinical trial
Varian, associated with Siemens Healthineers, announced today that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an investigational device exemption (IDE) for the pivotal...
RA Medical Systems finalises merger with Catheter Precision
Ra Medical Systems announces the completion of its previously-announced stock-for-stock merger transaction with Catheter Precision, a company focused on the cardiac electrophysiology market.
MedTech veteran...
Study reveals low reconnection rate with large antral lesion at PW after pentaspline PFA...
A first-of-its-kind analysis on electrophysiological findings in patients with recurrent atrial tachyarrhythmia (ATa) following pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using the novel pentaspline pulsed-field ablation...
Ablation as first-line treatment cuts AF progression compared to antiarrhythmic drugs
Ablation as a first-line treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF) disease is associated with significantly better clinical outcomes than starting with antiarrhythmic drugs.
These were the...
First patients treated in study of Globe pulsed field ablation system
Kardium has announced the successful first-in-human study of its next generation Globe pulsed field system to treat atrial fibrillation (AF) using pulsed field ablation...
AtriAN initiates second trial of pulsed field ablation in cardiothoracic surgery patients with paroxysmal...
AtriAN Medical has announced that it has completed enrolment of a second study using its selective pulsed field ablation (PFA) technology for the treatment...
Biosense Webster launches Octaray mapping catheter
Biosense Webster has announced the release of the Octaray mapping catheter, developed for the mapping of cardiac arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation (AF). The catheter...
FDA approves clinical trial of SERF ablation for VT patients
Thermedical has announced that the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an open-label, single-arm interventional clinical trial to evaluate the safety and...
First-in-man study yields promising results for saline-enhanced radio frequency VT ablation
A first-in-human multicentre trial using in-catheter, heated saline-enhanced radio frequency (SERF) ablation for patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT) has reported that the technique showed...
Stereotaxis submits CE mark application for MAGiC catheter
Stereotaxis has announced the CE mark submission for its MAGiC catheter, a robotically navigated magnetic interventional ablation catheter for minimally invasive cardiac ablation procedures.
MAGiC...
HRS 2022: Registry data support role of cardioneural ablation to address vasovagal syncope
Findings of the US multicentre cardioneural ablation (CNA) registry were presented during a late-breaking clinical trial session at the Heart Rhythm Society’s 2022 annual...
New data underpin drive towards earlier AF ablation strategies
Historically, catheter ablation has been reserved for atrial fibrillation (AF) patients who have failed to respond to, or tolerate antiarrhythmic drug therapy, electrophysiologist Dhiraj...
Hot balloon ablation and cryoballoon ablation deemed effective for AF treatment
Both cryoballoon ablation (CBA) and hot balloon ablation (HBA) are effective treatment options for atrial fibrillation (AF), however, patients treated with HBA are more...
Q-FFICIENCY trial shows promise for temperature-controlled ablation
Use of temperature-controlled ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) is effective and highly efficient, according to Jose Osorio—the director of electrophysiology at...
Study shares success of complete PVI using only pulsed field ablation
A recent study has demonstrated 100% pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using only pulsed field ablation (PFA), resulting in no PFA-related serious adverse events. This...
Contact force-guided ablation for typical atrial flutter does not reduce recurrent atrial arrhythmia
Contact-force (CF)-guided ablation to treat typical atrial flutter does not reduce recurrent atrial arrhythmia at 12 months follow-up, in comparison to ablation blinded for...
First patients treated using Adagio Medical’s pulsed field cryoablation system
Adagio Medical has announced first-in-human cases of pulsed field cryoablation (PFCA) for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF).
The cases were performed at Medicover Hospital,...
Patients undergoing robotic ablation found to have reduced incidence of silent cerebral embolism
Stereotaxis has announced the publication of the results of a prospective, multicentre study comparing the incidence of silent cerebral embolism (SCE) in atrial fibrillation...
Pulsed field ablation poised to revolutionise the treatment of atrial fibrillation
The advent of pulsed field ablation (PFA) will revolutionise the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF), Tom de Potter (Aalst, Belgium) tells Cardiac Rhythm News,...
Study shows safety and efficacy of robotic-guided ablation to treat paediatric arrhythmias
Stereotaxis has announced publication of a study in the International Journal of Cardiology: Heart & Vascular demonstrating superior safety and efficacy of Stereotaxis’ robotic...
Targeting atrial fibrosis in AF patients with low levels of disease “may help improve...
Image-guided fibrosis ablation in addition to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) does not improve ablation success rates compared to PVI alone in patients with persistent...
Adagio’s ultra-low temperature cryoablation system in first-in-human use
Adagio Medical has announced successful first-in-human use of ultra-low temperature cryoablation (ULTC) for the treatment of monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT).
The two-hour mapping and ablation...
RAFT-AF fails to show benefit of AF ablation in heart failure patients
Among patients with both heart failure and atrial fibrillation (AF), treatment strategies focused on rhythm control, using catheter ablation, and those focused on rate...
Single-shot pulsed-field ablation yields “excellent” PVI durability
Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with a “single-shot” pulsed-field ablation (PFA) catheter results in excellent PVI durability and acceptable safety with a low one-year rate...
First patients treated in ADVENT trial of pulsed field ablation system
FARAPULSE has announced that the first patients have been treated in the ADVENT trial, a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Investigational Device Exemption...
AF Symposium 2021: Experts debate early ablation strategy in AF
The merits of catheter ablation as a first-line treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF) were considered during the second day of AF Symposium 2021 (29–31...
AF Symposium 2021: Studies explore lattice-tip catheter strategies for AF
Findings of two studies investigating the use of a lattice-tip catheter for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) were presented during a late-breaking trial...
Medtronic receives FDA approval for DiamondTemp ablation system
Medtronic has received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the DiamondTemp ablation (DTA) system which treats patients with recurrent, symptomatic paroxysmal atrial...
Kardium secures financing to advance Globe mapping and ablation system
Kardium has raised US$115 million in a new financing round, which will be used to accelerate commercial growth of the Globe mapping and ablation...
PRECAF study looks at elimination of distal coronary sinus to left atrial connection for...
Elimination of distal coronary sinus (CS) to left atrial (LA) connections reduced atrial arrhythmia recurrences compared to standard pulmonary vein (PV) isolation and non-PV...
CardioFocus announces 10,000-patient milestone for HeartLight ablation system
CardioFocus has announced that more than 10,000 patients worldwide have been treated with the HeartLight endoscopic ablation system.
The HeartLight system is a catheter ablation...
Acutus Medical launches the AcQBlate force sensing ablation system in Europe
Acutus Medical has announced the launch of the AcQBlate force sensing ablation system in Europe after securing CE mark for the company’s AcQBlate FORCE...
AHA 2020: Medtronic shares results of cryoablation studies
Medtronic has announced the presentation of results of three studies which it says demonstrate that cryoablation is superior to drug therapy for first-line treatment...
Holographic ablation guidance system gains US FDA clearance
SentiAR has received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance for its CommandEP system, the first holographic guidance system to be used during...
First patients in Europe treated with Biosense Webster Varipulse catheter
Johnson & Johnson has announced that Biosense Webster has enrolled and treated the first patients in its inspIRE clinical study in Europe. The study...
Boston Scientific to invest in pulsed field ablation device developer
Boston Scientific has signed an investment agreement with an exclusive option to acquire Farapulse, a privately-held company developing a pulsed field ablation (PFA) system...
ESC 2020 Congress: STOP AF First finds cryoballoon ablation safer than drug treatment for...
Cryoballoon catheter ablation as a first line treatment for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) was found to be safer and more effective than anti arrhythmic...
Integrated cardiac ablation performed using remote telerobotic system
Stereotaxis and Acutus Medical have announced the first integrated cardiac ablation procedure using remote TeleRobotic support. Gery Tomassoni of Baptist Health, Lexington, USA treated...
Holographic display may improve physician accuracy during cardiac ablation
Details of the first-in-human use of an augmented reality holographic display to aid physician accuracy during cardiac ablation have been published in the Journal...
Lower rate of post-ablation arrhythmia recurrence found in patients with shorter AF episodes
Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes limited to less than 24 continuous hours had a significantly lower incidence of arrhythmia recurrence following AF ablation...
NuVera announces successful first-in-human use of NuVision ICE catheter
NuVera Medical has announced the initiation of the company's first-in-human clinical trial to evaluate the performance of its NuVision intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) catheter. The...
Kardium receives CE mark for its Globe Mapping and Ablation System
Kardium has received CE mark approval for its Globe Mapping and Ablation System for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF).
“This is an important milestone...
Adagio Medical receives CE mark for iCLAS ablation system
Adagio Medical has received CE mark approval for its ultra-low temperature intelligent Continuous Lesion Ablation System (iCLAS) for the endocardial treatment of paroxysmal (PAF)...
Same-day discharge “feasible for majority of AF ablation patients”
Same-day discharge after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is feasible for the majority of patients when a standardised protocol is used, findings of a multicentre cohort study, published in the Journal of the American...
AF Symposium 2020: Cryoablation pulmonary vein isolation is safe and effective for persistent atrial...
Hugh Calkins (Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, USA) told delegates attending the AF Symposium 2020 (23–25 January, Washington, DC, USA) that cryoablation with the...
AF Symposium 2020: Myocardial specificity of pulsed field ablation provides safety advantage for persistent...
At the AF Symposium 2020 (23–25 January, Washington, DC, USA), Vivek Y Reddy (Helmsley Electrophysiology Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA)...
Hypocapnia could aid ablation of cardiac arrhythmias
A technique that enables patients suffering from heart conditions to hold their breath safely for over five minutes could have potential as a treatment...
CardioFocus treats first patients with HeartLight endoscopic ablation system in France
CardioFocus has announced that the first patients in France have been treated in the University Public Hospital of Nancy with the HeartLight endoscopic ablation...
Almost one in 200 patients die early after AF ablation in a real-world analysis...
Early mortality following atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation affects nearly one in 200 patients, with the majority of deaths occurring during 30-day readmission, an analysis...
The Advisor HD Grid Mapping Catheter, Sensor Enabled, maps at high resolution and is...
Disclaimer: This advertorial is sponsored by Abbott
The Advisor™ HD Grid Mapping Catheter, Sensor Enabled™ (SE), is a unique mapping catheter that, when used with...
Boston Scientific initiates trial comparing left atrial appendage closure to direct oral anticoagulants for...
According to a press release, Boston Scientific has initiated the OPTION trial to compare safety and effectiveness of the next-generation Watchman FLX left atrial...
High power short duration ablation for atrial fibrillation: Safety and effectiveness
As part of a session on novel mapping and ablation technologies of atrial fibrillation (AF) at the recent AF Symposium in Boston, USA (24–26...
CABANA finds reduced AF and better quality of life after ablation but no reduction...
Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation leads to a reduction in atrial fibrillation, better quality of life and lower hospitalisations than medical therapy, but does...
Late-breaking trial highlights positive safety and efficacy data for the LUMINIZE RF balloon catheter
Boston Scientific announced data from the AF-FICIENT I study during a late-breaking clinical trial session at the 2019 European Heart Rhythm Association annual congress...
First US clinical study to assess ablation for monomorphic ventricular ablation initiated
Abbott has announced the start of LESS-VT—the first US clinical trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of ablation treatment for patients with monomorphic...
Case report: Mapping a complex macroreentrant atrial arrhythmia in congenital heart disease after surgical...
This article has been sponsored by Abbott
Case description
A 31 year-old female with tricuspid atresia and normally related great vessels who underwent an atriopulmonary Fontan...
CABANA trial provides important new data on clinical and quality of life effects of...
Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) produced no significant improvement in death, disabling stroke, serious bleeding, or cardiac arrest but did reduce death or...
Ultralow temperature ablation: Results from the Cryocure I and Cryocure II trials
The trials found that ultralow temperature cryoablation is feasible and shows excellent safety and efficacy. The clinical outcomes for flutter ablation show a 94%...
Real-time lesion formation and gap detection during ablation: DURABLE-I follow-up
One-year results from the Dielectric Unravveling of RAdiofrequency ABLation Effectiveness (DURABLE-I) clinical trial have shown that the KODEX (Navix International Limited) system help to...
Case report: Usefulness of high resolution mapping with mini-electrodes to select ablation site...
This article has been sponsored by Boston Scientific.
Case description
A 62-year-old woman, with recent sinus venosus atrial septal defect correction surgery, developed a persistent macroreentrant...
Sheath designed to reduce radiation exposure and improve ablation procedure efficiency launched
The CARTO VIZIGO Bi-directional Guiding Sheath is now available in the United States. This is the first commercially available steerable guiding sheath that can be...
DEEP-guided ablation may enable better treatment of ventricular tachycardia
Results from a multicentre study of catheter ablation guided by DEEP (decrement-evoke potential) mapping show that using DEEP mapping meant that ablation was successful...
Successful ablation for ventricular tachycardia associated with markedly reduced mortality in advanced heart failure...
Wendy Tzou (University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, USA) and colleagues at the International Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation Center Collaborative group (IVTCC) published two...
First patient treated in SHINE study of multi-electrode radiofrequency balloon catheter
The first patient has been enrolled and treated in the SHINE clinical study in Europe. The multicentre study aims to evaluate balloon ablation catheter...
Imaging-based simulations for predicting sudden death and guiding ablation
Natalia Trayanova envisions the future of cardiology and electrophysiology advancing through personalised medicine and computational simulations. Trayanova is the director of the Computational Cardiology...
Less bleeding in ablation with interrupted dabigatran compared to uninterrupted warfarin
The results of ABRIDGE-J, a Japanese multicentre randomised study on minimally interrupted dabigatran vs. uninterrupted warfarin for catheter ablation, were presented during a late-breaking...
Imricor announces completion of enrolment for MRI-guided ablations clinical study
Imricor Medical Systems announced today the completion of enrolment for the clinical study to evaluate Imricor’s Vision-MR Ablation Catheter for the treatment of atrial flutter...
Noninvasive radioablation: Radiotherapy shows 99.9% VT burden reduction
A small study by Phillip S Cuculich (Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, USA) et al has shown that radiation therapy, commonly used...
Imricor announces new developments in MR compatible ablation products
Imricor is developing a magnetic resonance (MR) compatible injection catheter and has announced a joint development agreement with MiRTLE Medical to integrate MiRTLE’s MR...
Repeat ablation with contact force sensing “does not necessarily guarantee a successful outcome” in...
Preliminary results from the ABLATOR observational registry have shown similar success rates (around 58%) in first time ablation and repeat ablation for persistent atrial...
CardioFocus receives approval for HeartLight Endoscopic Ablation System in Japan
CardioFocus has announced that the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has approved the HeartLight Endoscopic Ablation System for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation...
Rate of early death after ventricular tachycardia ablation as high as 5%
Early post-procedural mortality occurred in 5% of cases of radiofrequency catheter ablation in patients with scar-related ventricular tachycardia (VT), with more than half of...
Biosense Webster launches Carto 3 system Carto Visitag module with Ablation Index
Biosense Webster has launched of the Carto Visitag module with Ablation Index, a new technology providing visual indication based on the integration of power,...
ACC 2017: Uninterrupted dabigatran performs better than warfarin in atrial fibrillation ablation
Results from the RE-CIRCUIT study have shown that uninterrupted dabigatran (Pradaxa, Boehringer Ingelheim), was associated with fewer bleeding complications than uninterrupted warfarin before, during...
ACC 2017: Anticoagulant treatment may be unnecessary for stroke prevention following ablation for atrial...
For patients with persistent atrial fibrillation or those who are at high risk for recurring atrial fibrillation, catheter ablation is recommended, followed most often...
AF ablation associated with phrenic nerve injury: Is this complication now in our rear...
Phrenic nerve injury is a well-established complication of all types of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation and is most common with balloon-based approaches, writes Hugh...
US FDA approves Abbott’s FlexAbility Catheter, Sensor Enabled
The FlexAbility Ablation Catheter, Sensor Enabled is designed to improve the versatility and precision during cardiac ablation procedures to treat atrial flutter.
The Sensor Enabled...
Multielectrode mapping may be more effective than point-by-point mapping for VT substrate ablation
Results from the first randomised study comparing multielectrode mapping vs. conventional point-by-point mapping for ventricular tachycardia (VT) substrate ablation procedures have shown that a...
STS recommends surgical ablation as an “effective” treatment for atrial fibrillation
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) has issued new clinical guidelines that include major recommendations for the use of surgical ablation when treating atrial...
In search of innovative technologies for ventricular tachycardia ablation with cryoenergy
A proof-of-concept study has demonstrated that a new cryoablation system, which achieves “much cooler” temperatures than previous cryoablation technologies, is able to create large,...
OSYPKA AG launches HAT500® RF ablation system in Europe
OSYPKA AG has announced the launch of the HAT500® radiofrequency (RF) ablation system in Europe. The device received CE mark in October 2016.
OSYPKA AG,...
Cryoballoon ablation demonstrates lower healthcare system costs compared to radiofrequency ablation
Analyses from the FIRE AND ICE trial has shown lower costs with cryoballoon catheter ablation compared to radiofrequency ablation—related to trial period—as a result...
ESC 2016 Clinical Practice Guidelines describe benefits of cryoballoon ablation and long-term cardiac monitoring
Cryoballoon ablation for patients with diagnosed atrial fibrillation, and long-term cardiac monitoring for survivors of stroke who do not have an established diagnosis of atrial...
King’s College London joins with Cambridge Design Partnership to further develop a new steerable...
Cambridge Design Partnership recently announced it is working with Kings College London to further develop a new steerable catheter designed to treat complex cardiac...
Biosense Webster announces US launch of ThermoCool SmartTouch SF catheter
Biosense Webster has announced the US launch of the ThermoCool SmartTouch SF catheter. According to a company release, the catheter pairs contact force technology...
Relevance of imaging for ventricular tachycardia ablation
Cardiac imaging has emerged as an integral part of mapping and ablation in a variety of complex arrhythmias. Advances in imaging techniques, especially the...
Texas Children’s Hospital is the first paediatric institution in USA to offer magnetic navigation...
Stereotaxis has announced that Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, USA, has installed the its Niobe ES system, which according to the company, is the only...
Ablation of frequent premature ventricular complex allows safe withholding of ICD implant
Patients with frequent premature ventricular complex and primary prevention implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) indication who undergo ablation may be able to avoid ICD implant,...
Catheter Robotics acquires VIVO product line; changes name to Catheter Precision
Catheter Robotics has completed the acquisition of a new product line to be named VIVO. The line is a computerised three-dimensional cardiac-mapping system showing...
Fewer repeat ablations and hospitalisations with cryoballoon demonstrated in FIRE AND ICE
New data from the FIRE AND ICE clinical trial have shown significantly fewer repeat ablations and lower hospitalisation rates for patients with paroxysmal atrial...
Cryoballoon ablation for AF may be economically favourable compared with focal radiofrequency ablation
A subsequent study of the Value PVI (pulmonary vein isolation) study report several economic benefits, including reduced staff overtime and more time remaining for...
Ventricular tachycardia ablation in Chagas disease
Guilherme Fenelon (Sao Paulo, Brazil) overviews the role of ablation of ventricular tachycardia in Chagas disease. He says: catheter ablation in Chagas disease remains...
First randomised trial shows “poor outcomes” with rotor ablation
OASIS, the first randomised, controlled, multicentre clinical trial to compare rotor-only ablation with two other ablation strategies in non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation patients found “poor...
Ablation should be “preferred approach” in drug-resistant ventricular tachycardia
A multicentre, randomised controlled trial has shown that catheter ablation is superior to intensified antiarrhythmic drug therapy in reducing death, appropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator...
FDA approves Boston Scientific navigation-enabled IntellaNav catheters
Boston Scientific has received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for two catheters that can be used with the company's Rhythmia mapping system.
Fluoroscopy times and radiation dose reduced in atrial fibrillation ablation with contact force-sensing technology
A real-world study has found that the SmartTouch (Biosense Webster) contact force-sensing catheter coupled with an Advanced Catheter Location feature during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation reduced fluoroscopy times by 77%, radiation dose by 71% and procedural time by 19%.
Boston Scientific receives FDA approval for Blazer open-irrigated catheter
The approval of the Blazer OI catheter marks the first time Boston Scientific will offer an open-irrigated catheter to the US market.
How innovation can unleash tremendous growth in the $3.4 billion AF ablation market
Shlomo Ben-Haim (London, UK), a professor of medicine and serial entrepreneur in the medical device industry, examines the drivers of expansion of the atrial...
Hybrid and surgical atrial fibrillation ablation: Opportunity, threat or both?
Despite major advances in techniques and technology over the past 15 years, the clinical outcomes for catheter ablation in non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation patients remain...
LuxCath technology demonstrates promising results during first-in-man cardiac ablation procedures
The LuxCath optical tissue interrogation technology was used in eleven patients suffering from arrhythmias such as atrial flutter, AV nodal re-entrant tachycardia, and atrial fibrillation.
Greater long-term success rates for Stereotaxis’ Niobe system compared to manual catheter
The results of an independent, multicentre study, which looked at the procedural benefits and outcomes of patients undergoing radio frequency ablation therapy for ventricular tachycardia, were published at the AHA.
Role of rotors in mapping and ablation of ventricular fibrillation
In recently published studies, modulation of rotors by ablation seems to be effective in termination of atrial fibrillation. Now, researchers are exploring the role of rotors in ventricular fibrillation. Siva K Mulpuru (Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA), discusses the latest research in this field.
Westmead Hospital provides data supporting ablation effectiveness of Stereotaxis magnetic navigation
Stereotaxis and Westmead Hospital in Australia have announced findings of a study comparing the stability of a Niobe remote magnetic navigation system catheter group and a manually controlled catheter group in a validated cardiac wall motion simulator.
LuxCath LLC awarded US patent for real-time lesion visualisation technology for AF ablation
The LuxCath LLC system determines electrode-tissue contact as well as monitors lesion progression during ablation and provides real-time lesion visualisation without pressure sensors or ultrasound.
Advanced technologies to improve efficacy and safety of AF ablation
Technologies to image lesion creation in real time are required to improve the efficacy as well as the safety of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation....
First patient enrolled in dabigatran study comparing anticoagulation strategies during atrial fibrillation ablation
The study assesses the safety and efficacy of uninterrupted anticoagulation with dabigatran etexilate (Pradaxa) during ablation procedures compared to warfarin. Results from the study are expected during 2016.
St. Jude Medical begins study of ablation procedures to treat ventricular tachycardia
The FlexAbility ablation catheter will be used to assess benefits of catheter ablation as an adjunctive therapy for patients at risk for life-threatening arrhythmias.
Medtronic initiates European trial to evaluate cryoballoon ablation treatment for atrial fibrillation
Cryoablation creates lesions by freezing tissue in the heart's upper chambers, traditionally around the pulmonary veins, to block the electrical signals that trigger erratic heart rhythms.
Non-invasive mapping prior to ablation may be an effective strategy for persistent atrial fibrillation
Preliminary data from the AFACART study have shown encouraging results when treating persistent atrial fibrillation with non-invasive mapping followed by pulmonary vein isolation and/or linear lesions.
AtriCure completes enrolment in post approval study for the Synergy Ablation System
AtriCure has announced that enrolment in the ABLATE post approval study (PAS) of its Synergy Ablation System is complete. As 3 October 2014, the ABLATE PAS enrolled 365 patients at 40 hospitals across the United States.
John Muir Health’s Concord medical centre one of 20 hospitals in USA to use...
John Muir Health's Concord medical centre is one of just 20 hospitals in the USA to begin treating patients who suffer from atrial fibrillation with a new procedure that features the FDA-cleared FIRMap catheter.
Sensei X robotic catheter system to be featured at Cardiostim
The Sensei X2 features faster image processing and a slimmer design with the stability and reachability of its predecessor. The improved processing and imaging capabilities of the Sensei X2 will also be available to users of the current Sensei X upon release.
Cryoballoon faster and more effective than conventional radiofrequency ablation for paroxysmal AF
A randomised controlled trial comparing three methods of pulmonary vein isolation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation has revealed that procedures were faster and more effective with Medtronic's Arctic Front cryoballoon than wide encirclement using conventional point-by-point radiofrequency ablation. Procedures using the cryoballoon also resulted in a higher single procedure success rate.
Substrate based ablation superior than conventional ablation of stable clinical ventricular tachycardia
For stable clinical ventricular tachycardias, a substrate based ablation approach is more effective than conventional ablation preventing recurrences from any ventricular tachycardias in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy, according to results of the VISTA study, which is the first randomised trial performed in this area.
FDA approves Thermocool SmartTouch catheter
The first catheter ablation therapy in the US to feature direct contact force technology for treatment of atrial fibrillation, has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Apama Medical announces claim coverage in China for electrode-based ablation balloon for the treatment...
Apama Medical announced receipt of a Chinese notice of allowance for claims covering their low profile electrode assembly that enables the attachment of flexible electrodes to an ablation balloon for energy delivery and monitoring.
New combined mapping and ablation system for atrial fibrillation treatment undergoes testing
Hans Kottkamp, Zurich, Switzerland, presented a new device strategy that combines diagnostic and treatment capabilities for atrial fibrillation in one system, at the AF Symposium in Orlando USA (9-11 January 2014). He spoke to Cardiac Rhythm News about the combined system.
Ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation, are we there yet?
Mark Earley (London, UK) argues that despite the breathtaking progress of interventional electrophysiology in the last 10 years, ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation remains an unconquered summit.
HeartLight endoscopic ablation system can now be used in Spain
CardioFocus has announced that its HeartLight endoscopic ablation system is now available in Spain and Hospital Universitari i Politecnic La Fe in Valencia was the first in the country to use the technology.
Radiation exposure in supraventricular tachycardia ablation reduced with minimally fluoroscopic mapping system
Radiofrequency ablation of supraventricular tachycardia guided by the non-fluoroscopic Ensite NavX mapping system (St Jude Medical) has shown lower levels of ionising radiation exposure for the patient and for the operator compared with conventional catheter ablation, according to preliminary results from the NO-PARTY Italian trial.
Delayed enhancement-MRI detected atrial fibrosis could predict successful ablation in atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrosis detected using delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (DE-MRI) seems to be an independent predictor of procedural outcome in patients undergoing ablation of atrial fibrillation, according to results of the DECAAF (Delayed enhancement-MRI determinant of successful catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation) study
FDA clears Vdrive Robotic Navigation System with V-Sono Intracardiac Echocardiography catheter manipulator
The Vdrive with V-Sono system (Stereotaxis) is indicated for the remote control of compatible intracardiac echocardiography or ultrasound catheters inserted into the right atrium for cardiac ablation procedures.
The impact of radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation on the gastrointestinal system
There have been a number of studies conducted to assess the efficacy and adverse effects of radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation, but very little data is available on the effect of radiofrequency ablation on the upper gastrointestinal system. Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy, Kansas City, USA, reviews this subject based on the results of a new systematic approach the AF GUT study.
Ablation superior to medical therapy for patients with persistent atrial fibrillation
According to results from the SARA study, presented at a late-breaking trial session of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) Europace meeting (23-26 June, Athens, Greece), catheter ablation therapy has been shown to be superior to medical therapy for maintenance of sinus rhythm in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.
Promising mid-term results from thoracoscopic ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation
At three-year follow-up, 80% of patients with persistent atrial fibrillation showed freedom from atrial fibrillation and were free from anti-arrhythmic drugs after thoracoscopic ablation with the Bipolar RF Ablation System (AtriCure).
FDA conditionally approves new study design for the Artisan family of control catheters with...
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given conditional approval to Hansen Medical to change the company's study design of its ARTISAN-AF trial.
Targeted ablation without pulmonary vein isolation shows 82% single procedure success rate in paroxysmal...
A late breaking trial presented at Heart Rhythm 2013 (8-11 May, Denver, USA) has demonstrated that targeted ablation of stable rotors and focal sources can eliminate paroxysmal atrial fibrillation without the need to isolate the pulmonary veins.
Hansen Medical to highlight Sensei Robotic Catheter System and new Artisan Extend Control Catheter...
On 29 April, Hansen Medical announced that it will showcase its Sensei X Robotic Catheter System with the new Artisan Extend Catheter at the Heart Rhythm Society's (HRS) 34th Annual Scientific Sessions (8-11 May, Denver, USA).
Endosense closes an additional US$4.3 million to finance ablation technology
The added finances will further support Endosense's programme to get access to the US market with its TactiCath Quartz contact-force sensing ablation catheter and to reinforce sales in Europe.
HeartLight Endoscopic Ablation System to be highlighted at Frankfurt Atrial Fibrillation Academy 2013
The Annual Frankfurt Atrial Fibrillation Academy Symposium will highlight the latest innovations and research in atrial fibrillation therapy.
Newer approaches in ablation for ventricular fibrillation
"Ventricular fibrillation was generally viewed as a non-ablatable rhythm disturbance. However, several advances over the last decade have enabled electrophysiologists to successfully address this arrhythmia with ablation techniques," writes Samuel J Asirvatham, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA.
Faster lower pacing rate after atrioventricular node ablation may help to decrease sudden death...
Faster lower pacing rate immediately after atrioventricular node ablation with a gradual decrease helps to improve clinical outcome and may reduce the risk of sudden death in patients with atrial fibrillation, Ru-Xing Wang and other reported in Heart Rhythm ahead of print.
St Jude Medical announces CE mark approval of ViewFlex Xtra ICE catheter
The new catheter provides real-time, high-resolution ultrasound images of blood flow and cardiac anatomy when paired with the ViewMate Z Intracardiac Ultrasound Console.
Minimally invasive hybrid ablation is safe and effective for treatment for atrial fibrillation patients
One year after treatment completion, 80% of patients in normal sinus rhythm without administration of drugs, study says.
Early data for over-the-wire mesh ablation system is “encouraging”
At Europe AF (18-19 November, London, UK), Dirk Mueller, Bad Bevensen, Germany said that the initial results of the GENESIS study validated the usability of the Over-the-Wire Mesh Ablation System (OTW MAS, Encompass, Bard Electrophysiology) for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
HeartLight Ablation System receives unique classification code in Germany for the treatment of atrial...
Use of the new code allows the German Institute of Medical Documentation and Information to track the number of atrial fibrillation patients being treated with laser ablation guided by endovascular endoscopy and provides the initial step to receiving a specific diagnosis-related group code for the procedure.
HeartLight Endoscopic Ablation System now available in Australia
Monash Medical Centre in Melbourne is the first cardiology centre in the country to offer this catheter ablation treatment.
ViewFlex Xtra Intracardiac Echocardiography catheter gets FDA clearance
ViewFlex Xtra Intracardiac Echocardiography catheter (St Jude Medical) is used to treat arrhythmias with radiofrequency ablation and to close atrial septal defects with structural heart procedures.
Biosense Webster introduces the Thermocool SF NAV catheter with Curve Visualization technology in USA
The Thermocool SF NAV catheter is designed to reduce fluoroscopy exposure to physicians, lab staff and patients alike, enhance visualisation of the ablation catheters orientation and improve procedural efficiency.
HeartLight Endoscopic Ablation System now available in the Netherlands
Physicians at Isala Klinieken in Zwolle, Netherlands, were the first in the country to incorporate CardioFocus' visually guided ablation technology.
New study to investigate the role of early radiofrequency ablation in delaying progression of...
ATTEST, a prospective, multicentre, randomised, controlled study will compare pulmonary vein isolation (using Biosense Webster's ThermoCool catheters and the company's Carto 3 or Carto XP mapping systems) with drug therapy (rate or rhythm control) in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
Two poster presentations at Boston AF highlight positive results of a multidisciplinary ablation procedure
At Boston AF, two poster presentations showed that a multidisciplinary procedure that uses both epicardial and endocardial ablation (convergent procedure) is associated with high single procedure efficacy in a patient population dominated by persistent atrial fibrillation.
New consensus document for atrial fibrillation ablation previewed at Boston AF
Hugh Calkins, Maryland, USA gave a sneak preview of the forthcoming 2012 document on catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. At Boston AF he said, the new document is not just a "brief update" of the previous HRS/EHRA/ECAS document, which was published in 2007, but a "comprehensive, state-of-the-art review of the field of catheter and surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation."
Single atrial fibrillation ablation procedure achieves high pulmonary vein isolation rates, study shows
Researchers in Germany achieve 98% acute pulmonary vein isolation, with 77% of patients in sinus rhythm at approximately nine months follow-up.
FDA approves Thermocool SF catheter
The Thermocool SF irrigated ablation catheter (Biosense Webster) has been approved for treatment of drug refractory recurrent symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation when used with Carto systems and type 1 atrial flutter for patients 18 years and older.
Revised ablation guidelines previewed at Boston AF
Preview of the revised HRS/EHRA/ECAS consensus document on catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation at Boston AF (12-14 January 2012, Boston, USA) reveals new recommendation to use the CHADS2-VASc score
Endosense launches TactiCath 75 force-sensing catheter, announces new results of EFFICAS I clinical study
The TactiCath 75 is an 8.5 F sheath compatible, state-of-the-art open irrigated, steerable radiofrequency ablation catheter that employs the same proprietary force-sensing technology as the original TactiCath but features a longer, 75 millimeter curved tip.
FDA approves AtriCure’s Synergy Ablation system for atrial fibrillation treatment
AtriCure's Synergy Ablation system has been approved for the treatment of patients with persistent and long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation during open-heart concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting and/or valve replacement or repair procedures.
Estech starts patient enrolment in HISTORIC-AF European ablation study
The HISTORIC-AF staged hybrid ablation study will enrol persistent and long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) patients at ten centres in Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Poland.
Boston Scientific begins marketing remote catheter system in Europe through exclusive agreement with Catheter...
The CRI Amigo system, compatible with certain Boston Scientific and other commercially available catheters, lets physicians remotely maneuver diagnostic and ablation catheters designed to treat common cardiac arrhythmias during electrophysiology procedures.
Measuring both left atrial size and the amount of left atrial fibrosis may improve...
A study, published in Heart, indicates that the combined assessment of left atrial size and the amount of left atrial fibrosis may improve the identification of patients who have a high likelihood of successful ablation.
FDA advisory panel votes against Medtronic Phased RF Ablation System for atrial fibrillation
The majority of the panel does not believe there is reasonable assurance of the safety of Medtronic's ablation system, and that the clinical benefits of the technology do not outweigh the potential risks based on the TTOP-AF clinical trial data.
Ablation therapy in atrial fibrillation patients shows to be effective but risky
The TTOP-AF trial results showed a 90% reduction in atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter burden in 55.8% of ablation patients; however the results did not meet the pre"defined performance safety goal of 16%.
Remote magnetic navigation and ablation shows promise in patients with scar-related ventricular tachycardia
"The main advantage of the Niobe Remote Magnetic Navigation System (Stereotaxis), is the precise mapping and identification of the critical diseased portions of the heart that allows physicians to perform ablation in a more effective way," said Petr Neuzil, lead investigator of the STOP-VT study presented at the ESC Congress in Paris.
HeartLight endoscopic ablation system available in the UK
HeartLight EAS (CardioFocus) is used for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. It features an illuminating endoscope to provide physicians with direct visualisation within a beating heart, in real time and without radiation.
EPi-Sense epicardial ablation system gets CE mark
The EPi-Sense (nContact) features first-of-its kind epicardial sensing electrodes designed to allow both electrophysiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons to map and navigate the epicardium and locate areas for linear epicardial ablation.
Medtronic announces FDA clearance and first patient procedure with the Achieve mapping catheter
Achieve is an intra-cardiac electrophysiology diagnostic catheter that can be used to assess pulmonary vein isolation when treating paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). The first patient procedure in the United States using this catheter was performed by Robert Kowal, electrophysiologist at the Baylor Heart & Vascular Hospital in Dallas, USA.
New AF ablation technologies: useful tools or just expensive toys?
Fiorenzo Gaita, Università degli Studi di Torino, Turin, Italy, spoke to Cardiac Rhythm news about the real impact of fluoroscopy, intracardiac echocardiography and virtual 3D electro-anatomic mapping in atrial fibrillation ablation.
Blazer Open-Irrigated catheter gets CE mark approval
Boston Scientific's latest radiofrequency ablation catheter is designed to treat a variety of arrhythmias and integrates Total Tip Cooling design which is intended to consistently cool the entire tip electrode during radiofrequency energy delivery.
Advanced Cardiac Therapeutics initiates first-in-man CE mark trial to study new catheter system
The Tempasure system is the world's first radiofrequency cardiac ablation catheter to offer both saline irrigation and temperature-sensing technology for the treatment of atrial arrhythmias.
New stretchable device promises to make ablation simpler
The new tool has all necessary medical devices printed on a standard balloon catheter: a device for eliminating damaged tissue using heat, temperature and pressure sensors, a light-emitting diode (LED) and an electrocardiogram sensor.
St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital is among the first in the USA to offer cryoablation...
J Alberto Lopez, a physician affiliated with Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, is the first in Houston and among the first in the nation to treat patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with cryoablation technology.
Achieve mapping catheter is launched in Europe
The Medtronic's mapping catheter is an intra-cardiac electrophysiology recording catheter that can be used to assess pulmonary vein isolation when treating paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
The European cardiac rhythm management, electrophysiology and ablation market valued at over €2.8 billion...
These markets could reach over €4.4 billion by 2017, according to a report published by iData Research.
Endosense and Siemens Healthcare work together in development project to improve electrophysiology ablation procedures
The main goal of the shared development project is to achieve an improved visualisation of catheter-tip-to-tissue contact force within a three-dimensional anatomic heart model during catheter ablation procedures.
Repeat ablation procedures provide “acceptable” long-term relief for AF patients
Five-year follow-up results from a study of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation shows long-term success increases when outcomes are measured after the last ablation procedure.
FDA approves cryoballoon ablation treatment for paroxysmal AF
The Arctic Front Cardiac CryoAblation Catheter system is the first and only Cryoballoon in the United States indicated for the treatment of drug refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
Worldwide survey shows ablation works without drugs in most cases
Riccardo Cappato, Centre of Clinical Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, Policlinico San Donato, Milan, makes his case following the second global survey on catheter ablation.
NIH funds innovative electroactive polymer based steerable catheter for the treatment of AF
The US$2.2 million grant will support the design and commercialisation of SPS's revolutionary steerable cardiac mapping and ablation catheter technology.
STOP-AF shows cryoablation prevents atrial fibrillation better than drugs
Professor Douglas Packer presents the results of two clinical trials conducted using the cryoablation technique.
CABANA pilot shows ablation more effective in preventing AF recurrence
Professor Douglas Packer presents the results of the pilot study at the American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions.
Endosense launches next generation TactiCath force-sensing catheter
The second generation product includes an elegantly enhanced catheter along with a feature-rich supporting system called the TactiSysTM.
Promising results for cryoablation presented at ACC congress
Safety and effectiveness trial evaluated the Medtronic Arctic Front Cardiac CryoAblation Catheter System for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
New study uncovers gender disparity in ablation treatment and outcomes for AF
Study published in HeartRhythm Journal shows female patients undergo catheter ablation less often and experience more complications than males
More centres perform ablation for persistent and permanent AF
New observations from the Second Worldwide Survey on AF Ablation showed that more procedures are being offered every year.
Trials beginning this year will compare AF ablation devices
An overview of clinical trials on AF ablation devices seeking FDA approval was presented by Hugh Calkins, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, USA, at the Boston AF Symposium.
Stereotaxis is notified of the FDA approval of an additional magnetic irrigated catheter
The FDA also approved all magnetic catheters for use with newly increased field strength for magnetic navigation.
Mount Sinai first in nation to ablate AF using new visually-guided balloon catheter
Physicians at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York became the first in the US to ablate atrial fibrillation using the "Endoscopic Ablation System" manufactured by CardioFocus.
Advances in ablation of long-standing persistent AF
Matthew Wright, Hopital Cardiologique du Haut-Levaque, Bordeaux-Pessac, France talks about techniques and developments in catheter ablation for persistent AF.
Angiography could avoid coronary lesions after ablation in youngsters with a posteroseptal pathway
Study assessed the incidence of coronary artery injury early after catheter ablation for supraventricular tachycardias in children.
Increasing use of ablation to treat atrial fibrillation
American report says number of catheter ablation procedures for treating atrial fibrillation will fuel revenues in the electrophysiology ablation catheter market over the next five years.
British investigators demonstrate safety of AF ablation in the elderly
Investigators from The Heart Hospital, University College London, have demonstrated that atrial fibrillation ablation in older patients can be achieved safely with similar complication risks.
Highlights from ISCAT 2014
Michel Haissaguerre and Etienne M Aliot, chairmen of the International Symposium on Catheter Ablation Techniques (ISCAT; 15-17 October 2014, Paris, France), discuss the highlights of this year's meeting with Cardiac Rhythm News.
2010 ESC guidelines on atrial fibrillation followed by seven European countries, PREFER in AF...
The guideline-recommended use of oral anticoagulation has increased compared to previous registries, as well as the use of antiarrhythmic drugs and catheter ablation procedures. Data have recently been published in Europace
FDA clears Rhythmia Mapping System
The Rhythmia Mapping System (Boston Scientific) is a next-generation 3D mapping and navigation solution for use in cardiac catheter ablations and other electrophysiology procedures to diagnose or treat cardiac arrhythmias.
Andreas Goette
Andreas Goette is the chair of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) Europace Scientific Programme Committee. He spoke to Cardiac Rhythm News about his research in molecular electrophysiology, a subject which was absent 15 years ago. He also gave his views on antiarrhytmic drugs and catheter ablation technology, and spoke about the highlights of EHRA Europace 2013.
Rhythmia Mapping System gets CE mark
The Rhythmia Mapping System (Boston Scientific) is a next-generation 3D mapping and navigation solution for use in cardiac catheter ablations and other electrophysiology procedures to treat cardiac arrhythmias including: atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia.
Boston Scientific to acquire Rhythmia Medical
Rhythmia Medical is a developer of next-generation mapping and navigation solutions for use in cardiac catheter ablations and other electrophysiology procedures, including atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter.
“Clear gap” between guidelines and clinical practice
Elena Arbelo, Barcelona, Spain, presented one-year results from the first European study of real-life epidemiology of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. At the ESC annual meeting, Arbelo said: "There is a clear gap between recommendations and actual clinical practice."
Catharina Hospital and Philips start social media initiative with heart patient
A catheter ablation treatment of a patient with a heart rhythm disorder could be followed via social media, before, during and after the procedure. The initiative is lead by Catharina Hospital in The Netherlands and Philips.
The impact of the STOP-VT study
Rainer Moosdorf, Germany, reviews the impact of the STOP VT trial. As reported in the 14th issue of Cardiac Rhythm News, this multicentre study showed that remote magnetic navigation may provide additional benefits to catheter ablation for the treatment of scar-related ventricular tachycardia.
Novel nitinol guidewire associated with high success rate for transseptal punctures
A novel nitinol guidewire (SafeSept, Pressure Products) may be an alternative to transoesophageal or intracardiac echocardiogram for transseptal puncture for left atrium catheter ablation, study shows.
Robotic vs. magnetic navigation
Drs Andrea Natale and Carlo Pappone debate the merits of magnetic (Stereotaxis) or robotic (Hansen Medical) navigation for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.
Early rhythm control aids recurrent stroke prevention in patients with AF
Early rhythm control one year after atrial fibrillation (AF) diagnosis has been found to be beneficial in preventing recurrent stroke in patients with incident...
Field Medical and CardioNXT to collaborate on 3D integrated PFA therapy
Field Medical and CardioNXT have announced a strategic collaboration to provide the first-of-its-kind focal pulsed field ablation (PFA) therapy integrated with 3D mapping &...
Two decades of development in AF treatment and education
This year marked the 20th edition of the Atrial Fibrillation Symposium (AFIB2022; 24–25 May, Copenhagen, Denmark) which, over its lifetime, has evolved to become...
IMPACT II trial expands to USA following FDA exemption approval
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted an investigational device exemption (IDE) to Attune Medical to evaluate the company’s ensoETM in the...
Study looks at efficacy of AI-based EGM analysis tool
Volta Medical has announced that peer-reviewed results from the company’s Ev-AIFib proof of concept study with its VX1 decision support software has been published...
AHA scientific statement offers insight into sleep-disordered breathing and its link to arrhythmia
A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association (AHA) provides guidance about sleep-disordered breathing and its association with the development of cardiac arrhythmia.
Published...
First patients enrolled in IMPACT II study
Attune Medical has announced that the first patients have been enrolled in the IMPACT II— Improving Oesophageal Protection During Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation—study,...
AF Symposium 2022: Lower pulmonary vein to left atrium volume ratio predicts AF recurrence
Pulmonary vein-left atrial (PV/LA) volume ratio is a significantly better predictor power for atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence than LA dimension in patients with normal...
First patient treated in SPHERE PerAF trial
Affera has announced that the first patient was treated in the recently approved SPHERE PerAF trial, a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Investigational...
HRS 2021: Early rhythm control benefits AF patients with heart failure
Rhythm control therapy offers a clinical benefit when initiated within one year of a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with signs or...
Affera’s SpherePVI gets first-in-human use
Affera has announced the first-in-human use of its circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) pulsed field ablation (PFA) catheter, SpherePVI.
The work was conducted as part...
Research highlights AF risk factors for HCM patients
The authors of research published in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology claim that their findings will help physicians to identify, treat and prevent atrial fibrillation (AF)...
CardioFocus receives Japanese approval for HeartLight X3
CardioFocus has announced that the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) has approved the company's HeartLight X3 System for marketing in Japan....
Abbott initiates trial focusing on twin AF and heart failure treatments
Abbott has announced a new trial focused on improving the treatment for people simultaneously battling both atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure.
The TAP-CHF trial...
AtriCure’s EPi-Sense system approved by US FDA for treatment of long-standing persistent AF
AtriCure has announced US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the EPi-Sense system to treat patients diagnosed with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF).
The...
Putting the patient at the centre of the AF treatment strategy
This article was sponsored by Biosense Webster
Putting the patient at the centre of the discussion is vital to setting the right strategy for the...
Looking ahead to AFIB2021
Far from being the first event in the electrophysiology calendar now to make the switch to a digital-only format, the 2021 edition of the...
AF burden at six months predictive of hard clinical outcomes in heart failure
Atrial fibrillation (AF) burden at six months after catheter ablation is predictive of all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalisation, in AF patients with heart...
ESC Congress 2020: EAST-AFNET 4 finds early rhythm control improves AF outcomes
Patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation benefit from early rhythm control therapy, according to results of the EAST-AFNET 4 trial presented in a Hot...
Prompt diagnosis “vital” in effective AF management
Dhiraj Gupta, consultant cardiologist and electrophysiologist at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, (Liverpool, UK) discusses the current burden of atrial fibrillation (AF) on healthcare...
€3.7m funding round completed for cardiac AI developer inHEART
inHEART, developer of a cloud-based medical image analysis solution for cardiac interventions on patients with arrhythmias, has closed a funding round of €3.7m led...
HRS 2020 Science: Packer assesses CABANA’s legacy
As part of this year’s HRS 2020 Science virtual event Douglas L Packer (Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA) delivered the 2020 Eric N Prystowsky lecture...
CONVERGE IDE trial results presented at HRS 2020 Science
AtriCure has announced results from the CONVERGE IDE clinical trial, which showed an 18% difference in favour of the hybrid Convergent procedure as compared...
EHRA 2020 to feature late-breaking arrhythmia studies
Twenty late-breaking trials, including major clinical studies on the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) are among the research to be presented at the annual...
Kalyanam Shivkumar named as editor-in-chief of JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology
Kalyanam Shivkumar has been named the next editor-in-chief of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC): Clinical Electrophysiology.
Shivkumar is a physician scientist...
AF Symposium 2020: Use-as-needed NOAC strategy is safe and effective for selected AF patients
Speaking today at the AF Symposium (23–25 January, Washington, DC, USA), Francis Marchlinski (Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA) reported that selected...
CardioFocus appoints Burke T Barrett as chief executive
CardioFocus, has announced that the company’s board of directors has promoted Burke T Barrett to the position of chief executive officer (CEO), effective January...
Leading electrophysiologists identify four key studies that will shape arrhythmia treatment in 2020
Leading electrophysiologists have pinpointed four clinical studies due to report findings in 2020—AMULET IDE, aMAZE IDE, PULSED AF and CEASE AF—that they expect to...
Eric N Prystowsky
Eric N Prystowsky (director of the Cardiac Arrhythmia Service at St Vincent Hospital, Indianapolis, and a consulting professor of medicine at Duke University Medical...
AtriCure announces completion of enrolment for aMAZE clinical trial
AtriCure has announced the successful completion of patient enrolment in the aMAZE clinical trial. In addition, the company announced that it has received approval...
Pedro Brugada
With his brothers Josep and Ramon, Pedro Brugada discovered the syndrome that bears their name. He reflects on his career highlights with Cardiac Rhythm...
Biosense Webster launches initiatives to tackle atrial fibrillation
Biosense Webster, a Division of Johnson & Johnson, has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling atrial fibrillation (AF) by launching two major initiatives to coincide...
Cardiac Rhythm News Issue 46 – October 2019
Highlights:
ESC guidelines on supraventricular tachycardias underline the pivotal role of catheter ablation therapy
Study suggests increased use of DOACs in AF leads to...
AtriCure agrees to buy LARIAT developer SentreHEART
AtriCure has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire SentreHEART, which developed the LARIAT device for left atrial appendage closure in patients with atrial...
AtriCure enters into definitive agreement to acquire SentreHeart
AtriCure has revealed that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire SentreHeart. Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, the transaction consideration...
SentreHeart announces initial clinical use of the Lariat with EpiRail procedure for LAA exclusion
SentreHeart recently announced it has successfully completed nine first-in-human procedures utilising the Lariat with EpiRail at John Paul II hospital in Krakow, Poland. The...
HeartLight expands its availability to more than 100 hospitals globally
The HeartLight Endoscopic Ablation System is now offered at more than 100 hospitals worldwide. CardioFocus highlighted the expanded availability of its catheter ablation technology...
Randomised controlled trial finds that efficacy is not compromised by using a shorter cryoapplication...
In a late-breaking session at the European Heart Rhythm Association annual congress (EHRA; 17–19 March, Lisbon, Portugal), Jason Andrade of Vancouver, Canada presented the...
Eliminate AF shows low thromboembolic and bleeding events with edoxaban
Uninterrupted anticoagulation with edoxaban (Lixiana, Daiichi Sankyo) resulted in low rates of thromboembolic and bleeding events in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing catheter ablation,...
Is CABANA a positive or negative trial?
Several treatment options are available for atrial fibrillation (AF), including pharmacological rate or rhythm control, and catheter or surgical ablation. However, consensus as to...
Results of the CIRCA-DOSE study presented at EHRA 2019
In a late-breaking session at the 2019 European Heart Rhythm Association annual congress (EHRA; 17–19 March, Lisbon, Portugal), Jason Guy Andrade of Vancouver, Canada...
Combining practical and scientific learning to meet educational needs at Europe’s largest atrial fibrillation...
Sabine Ernst and Mattias Duytschaever are both consultant cardiologists and scientific committee members of the practical and scientific faculty of the Atrial Fibrillation Symposium,...
Tim Betts
For Tim Betts, a career in medicine was a natural choice. After graduating he knew he wanted to be a cardiologist and, with a...
New data on the VASCADE MVP system for multi-vessel closure following electrophysiology procedures
Cardiva Medical, an innovator in the field of vascular closure, has announced that new data from the randomised AMBULATE study will be presented in...
Biosense Webster announces first patients enrolled in post-market approval study for its novel tag-index...
Johnson & Johnson have announced that Biosense Webster has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its VISITAG SURPOINT External...
CONVERGE IDE clinical trial completes enrolment
Atricure have announced that the enrolment of the full cohort of 153 patients in the CONVERGE IDE clinical trial has been completed. CONVERGE IDE is...
Call for paradigm shift to CPR competency to save 50,000 additional lives each year...
The American Heart Association (Association) and Laerdal Medical (Laerdal) are furthering their decades-long alliance to deliver a new standard of resuscitation quality and patient...
How gender impacts pathophysiology treatment of cardiac arrhythmia
Differences between men and women mean that outcomes after cardiac events can differ between the sexes. Cecilia Linde writes in Cardiac Rhythm News about...
Autonomic modulation for refractory ventricular arrhythmias: Going beyond the heart
Patients with scar-related ventricular tachycardia (VT) do not often achieve a cure. Jason S Bradfield and Kalyanam Shivkumar write in Cardiac Rhythm News about...
REAFFIRM: An interim analysis
The interim results of the REAFFIRM (Randomised Evaluation of Atrial Fibrillation treatment with Focal Impulse and Rotor Modulation guided procedures) trial showed there was...
Luigi Di Biase
Luigi Di Biase is a prominent electrophysiologist, section head of Electrophysiology, director of Arrhythmia Services, and professor of Medicine (Cardiology) at the Albert Einstein...
Cardiac Rhythm News Issue 41 – May 2018 EU edition
Highlights:
Apixaban is a safe alternative to warfarin during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation and may have a positive effect on cognitive function
Stroke...
Cardiac Rhythm News Issue 41 – May 2018 US edition
Highlights:
Apixaban is a safe alternative to warfarin during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation and may have a positive effect on cognitive function
Stroke...
Study to evaluate novel high power, short duration modality for treatment of atrial fibrillation...
The first patient has been enrolled and treated in the QDOT AF study (Biosense Webster). The study will evaluate the delivery of high...
Nassir Marrouche
Nassir Marrouche is a prominent electrophysiologist, executive director of the Comprehensive Arrhythmia Research and Management (CARMA) Centre at the University of Utah in Salt...
Stroke prevention drugs may help reduce dementia risk for atrial fibrillation patients
Patients with atrial fibrillation could reduce the risk of dementia by taking stroke prevention medications, according to recommendations published online in EP Europace1, a...
Clinical trial data further demonstrate safety and effectiveness of RHYTHMIA mapping system
Data from the TRUE-HD study has been announced during a late-breaking clinical trial session at the annual congress of the European Heart Rhythm Association...
Biomarker predicts success of atrial fibrillation treatment
Written by Hannah Woolley, Cardiac Rhythm News Editor
Heart imaging has been successfully used to predict the benefit or futility of catheter ablation. The investigators...
The top 10 takeaways from the 2017 AHA/ACC/HRS guidelines
In October 2017, the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology/Heart Rhythm Society (AHA/ACC/HRS) released a guideline document on the management of patients with ventricular...
Five surprising messages from this year’s Europe AF
1.
The "ILL-CONCEIVED" pallas study may be relaunched
John Camm
"I want to say just a few quick words about dronedarone", John Camm (St George's University of...
New guidelines on ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death
The American College of Cardiology (ACC), along with the American Heart Association (AHA) and the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) has published new guidelines for...
Real-time cardiac mapping technology cleared by FDA
Acutus Medical has announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the AcQMap high resolution imaging and mapping system as well as...
Cardiac Rhythm News Issue 38 – October 2017 EU edition
Highlights:
- Catheter ablation lowers mortality in atrial fibrillation patients with heart failure
- Thrombus formation on LAA occlusion devices strongly associated with higher risk of ischaemic...
Sabine Ernst
Sabine Ernst (lead electrophysiology research/consultant cardiologist, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospital, London, UK and associate lead for Cardiac Imaging in the Biomedical Research Unit...
Cardiac Rhythm News Issue 38 – October 2017 US edition
Highlights:
- Catheter ablation lowers mortality in atrial fibrillation patients with heart failure
- Thrombus formation on LAA occlusion devices strongly associated with higher risk of ischaemic...
EMA issues positive opinion for updated dabigatran summary of characteristics
The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has issued a positive opinion for an update to...
RE-CIRCUIT data to be included in European summary of product characteristics of dabigatran
The committee for medicinal products for human use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has issued a positive opinion for an update to...
ESC 2017: EHRA and Biotronik mark 10 years of collaboration with the EHRA White...
At the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) congress (26–30 August, Barcelona, Spain), the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) released an analytical supplement to the...
Remote monitoring allows earlier diagnosis of asymptomatic arrhythmias in patients with implantable loop recorders
The first study to assess the clinical impact of remote monitoring with the Reveal LINQ implantable loop recorder (Medtronic) has demonstrated the benefits of...
Tenth edition of EHRA White Book of cardiac arrhythmia treatment data released
The tenth year of data on cardiac arrhythmia treatment is being launched at EHRA EUROPACE - CARDIOSTIM 2017.
The edition marks the ten year anniversary...
HRS 2017: Could etripamil nasal spray be a “game-changer” for paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia?
A phase 2 trial (NODE-1) of a nasal spray formulation of etripamil (Milestone Pharmaceuticals) shows it is safe and effective at terminating paroxysmal supraventricular...
First patient enrolled in Daiichi Sankyo’s ELIMINATE-AF edoxaban study
The first patient has been enrolled into Daiichi Sankyo’s ELIMINATE-AF study. The multinational, randomised phase 3b study will explore the safety and efficacy of...
AtriCure names US principal investigator for the CONVERGE IDE clinical trial
AtriCure has announced David B DeLurgio as the US principal investigator for the CONVERGE IDE clinical trial.
DeLurgio is a cardiac electrophysiologist at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta, USA. He is...
Superior vena cava does not seem to contribute to long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation
The arrhythmogenicity of the superior vena cava has been rarely detected in patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation, according to study from China recently...
Moderate, habitual alcohol intake associated with atrial fibrillation
People who binge drink often experience an irregular heartbeat or a heart “flutter,” sometimes referred to as “holiday heart syndrome.” However, people who drink...
Jeremy Ruskin
Jeremy Ruskin (Boston, USA), professor of medicine Harvard Medical School and director emeritus of the Cardiac Arrhythmia Service and Clinical Electrophysiology Laboratory at Mass...
ESC and EACTS launch first collaborative atrial fibrillation guidelines
The first European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines on Atrial Fibrillation developed in collaboration with the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) have been...
EHRA releases White Book 2016 EP Europace Supplement
The European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) and the EP Europace journal have released the supplement to its ninth annual EHRA White Book, developed in...
The OASIS trial: A critical appraisal
Recent results of the first randomised trial—OASIS trial—to compare rotor-only ablation with two other ablation strategies in non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation patients found poor outcomes...
Etienne Aliot
Etienne Aliot (Nancy, France) has always been fascinated by the work of surgeons. This fascination set him on his path through medical school. He...
Afibmatters.org now in Swedish and Portuguese
The European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) is launching the patient- and caregiver-oriented website afibmatters.org in Swedish and Portuguese.
Afibmatters.org aims to contribute to improvements in...
Reduced radiation exposure associated with Stereotaxis’ Niobe system
Stereotaxis has announced the results of a retrospective study conducted at Paracelsus Medical University in Nuremberg, Germany, which showed significantly reduced radiation exposure for...
George Van Hare
George Van Hare (The Louis Larrick Ward professor of Pediatrics and director, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, USA), has worked towards advancing paediatric electrophysiology, as a recognised specialty, in the paediatric cardiology world and the electrophysiology world. He considers that working as a paediatric electrophysiologist is a "rewarding" experience, because it has allowed him to diagnose and cure at a very early stage. He talks to C
HeartLight System gets FDA approval for atrial fibrillation treatment
CardioFocus has announced that it has received premarket approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its HeartLight Endoscopic Ablation System for the treatment of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
First patient enrolled in international CEASE atrial fibrillation study
The first patient has been enrolled in the CEASE (combined endoscopic epicardial and percutaneous) atrial fibrillation (AF) clinical study, according to a press release from AtriCure.
New study has “major physiopathological and clinical implications” for the management of Brugada syndrome
Josep Brugada (Barcelona, Spain), Carlo Pappone (Milan, Italy) and others report in Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology that ablation of abnormal epicardial substrate in patients with Brugada syndrome can eliminate the phenotype expression of the syndrome.
US societies release updated training requirements for clinical electrophysiology
Due to the complex nature of clinical cardiac electrophysiology, an updated training statement released by the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association and the Heart Rhythm Society, is calling for increased training for practitioners.
CardioFocus’ HeartLight PMA for the treatment of atrial fibrillation filed and accepted for review...
The accepted PMA application includes safety and effectiveness data from the company's multicentre HeartLight pivotal clinical trial, a randomised, controlled study in which a total of 353 patients were treated at 19 US centres.
Electrical left atrial appendage isolation helps to improve freedom from long-standing persistent AF
A randomised, multicentre study has found improvement in the long-term freedom from long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients who underwent an ablation plus empirical electrical left atrial appendage isolation strategy. No major complications were reported.
FDA approves trial to evaluate Lariat ligation of the left atrial appendage as a...
The randomised, controlled AMAZE trial, will evaluate the use of the Lariat device for the ligation of the left atrial appendage as an adjunctive treatment to ablation in patients with persistent or long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation.
Biosense Webster launches Carto 3 system Confidense module
The Confidense module's proprietary algorithm streamlines data collection, annotation and validation for the market-leading Carto system.
Botox reduces AF burden for up to a year after cardiac surgery
Botulinum toxin injected into epicardial fat pads during coronary artery bypass graft surgery reduced the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation compared with placebo, with substantial suppression persisting after one year, a pilot study has found.
Data shows advantages of Acutus Medical Dipole Density Heart Imaging and Mapping System in...
The data was presented at the Heart Rhythm Society's 36th Annual Scientific Sessions (13-16 May, Boston, USA) and shows the systems benefits compared with standard voltage-based mapping in patients with atrial flutter.
HeartLight US pivotal study meets primary efficacy and safety endpoints
The trial, which randomised CardioFocus' HeartLight one-to-one versus the Biosense Webster Thermocool catheter, met both primary efficacy and safety endpoints and demonstrated a low learning curve for physicians.
First-in-human study backs neuromodulation to treat paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
A first-in-human study shows low level transcutaneous electrical vagus nerve stimulation, a completely non-invasive approach, suppresses paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
Atrial fibrillation recurrence lower with sleep apnoea treatment
The use of continuous positive airway pressure was associated with a significant reduction in the recurrence of atrial fibrillation in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea, according to a new analysis of data.
First patients enrolled in DEEP clinical study
The study is the first-of-its-kind in the USA exploring a minimally invasive epicardial surgical ablation approach combined with an endocardial catheter-based ablation approach for the treatment of persistent or long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation.
Hansen Medical announces expanded protocol for the ARTISAN-AF IDE study
The amended protocol now includes the use of the Thermocool SmartTouch catheter (BioSense Webster) and the EnSite Velocity Cardiac Mapping System (St Jude Medical) in combination with the Sensei Robotic System (Hansen Medical) for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
Hung-Fat Tse
While Hung-Fat Tse's initial research interests focused on device therapy for cardiac arrhythmias, he has dedicated his career to the development of cardiovascular regenerative medicine.
Non-invasive identification of drivers in persistent AF
In paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, pulmonary vein isolation is successful while the results in persistent atrial fibrillation are less satisfactory because of ill-defined atrial substrate...
Abbott completes acquisition of Topera
Abbott has acquired all outstanding equity of Topera for US$250m upfront, plus potential future payments tied to performance milestones.
Biosense Webster launches programme to reinforce patient benefits of company’s contact force therapy
The Biosense Webster Advantage programme is an outcomes-based, risk-sharing program for US hospitals that reinforces the significant patient benefits demonstrated by the ThermoCool SmartTouch Catheter.
Biosense Webster and StopAfib.org work to raise awareness of AFIB
Biosense Webster has partnered with advocacy organisation StopAfib.org to encourage Americans to "Get SMART About Afib."
AtriCure receives FDA approval to start DEEP IDE study
The DEEP study will investigate a minimally invasive approach performed by cardiac surgeons and electrophysiologists to treat patients with persistent or long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation who have failed antiarrhythmic drug therapy.
Abbott to acquire Topera and Advanced Cardiac Therapeutics
Abbott enters the catheter-based electrophysiology market with the announcement of an agreement to purchase Topera and the securement of the rights to purchase Advanced Cardiac Therapeutics (ACT). Both companies develop electrophysiology technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders.
Persistent atrial fibrillation treatment with robotic navigation and contact force sensing shows promising results
An international multicentre registry evaluating the role of remote robotic navigation and contact force sensing in persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) treatment has found that, at one year, a higher proportion of patients treated with this modality were free from AF recurrences with a single procedure as compared with both manual/contact force sensing and robotic/no contact force sensing procedures.
Massimo Santini
Massimo Santini performed the first fulguration of the atrioventricular node of resistant supraventricular tachycardia in Italy; he also implanted a pacemaker in the Italian president Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, 10 years ago. Santini speaks to Cardiac Rhythm News about his views on advances in antiarrhythmic drugs, genetics and cardiac arrhythmias, and ECG screening.
Is antiarrhythmic gene therapy the future of atrial fibrillation management?
Dierk Thomas (Heidelberg, Germany) writes on the results of preclinical research on antiarrhythmic gene therapy.
TOCCASTAR trial meets primary safety and efficacy endpoints at Heart Rhythm 2014
Results from the first prospective, randomised study of contact-force ablation technology for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation met primary endpoints and supplement the growing body of evidence that supports the safety and effectiveness of contact-force ablation technology.
St Jude Medical presents comprehensive clinical evidence during Heart Rhythm 2014
Clinical evidence about the company's cardiac rhythm management and ablation technologies will be provided in 38 sessions, including three late-breaking clinical trial sessions.
Antiarrhythmic drug therapy increases hospitalisation risk for older patients with atrial fibrillation and coronary...
A single centre analysis of antiarrhythmic drug therapy in older patients with atrial fibrillation and coronary artery disease has found it is associated with increased rehospitalisation at one year, and recommends safer and more effective therapies for symptom control in this group.
Limitations of novel oral anticoagulants challenge their widespread use
Even though novel oral anticoagulants present an "amazing opportunity to improve stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation", according to Peter Kowey (Philadelphia, USA), there are still several limitations with regards to monitoring, discontinuation, lack of reversal agents and lack of long-term data that affect their widespread use.
CABANA trial update
Douglas Packer (Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA) shares with Cardiac Rhythm News information on the design and rationale of the CABANA (Catheter ablation versus antiarrhythmic drug...
Anne Curtis
Anne Curtis is past president (2005-2006) of the Heart Rhythm Society. She has been involved in various clinical trials in electrophysiology including her most recent trial, BLOCK HF, and is currently a member of different editorial boards in the field. She spoke to Cardiac Rhythm News about her career achievements, memorable cases and the major challenges executing a trial.
Management of atrial fibrillation still suboptimal in Europe
Results of EORP-AF, a pilot registry on the management and treatment of atrial fibrillation in Europe, have shown that compliance with treatment guidelines for atrial fibrillation patients with the lowest and higher stroke risk scores remains suboptimal.
Does the anatomy of left atrial appendage correlate with the risk of stroke?
Luigi Di Biase writes for Cardiac Rhythm News on the results of a study that identified four different left atrial appendage morphologies and its relationship with the risk of stroke in atrial fibrillation patients. "These results could have a relevant impact on the oral anticoagulation management and occlusion device management of atrial fibrillation patients with an intermediate risk for stroke," writes Di Biase.
Boston Scientific completes acquisition of Bard Electrophysiology
On 1 November, Boston Scientific closed on its previously announced agreement to acquire Bard EP, the electrophysiology (EP) business of CR Bard.
HeartLight US pivotal trial completes enrolment
The randomised, controlled trial of the HeartLight Endoscopic Ablation System (Cardiofocus) completed enrolment of over 400 patients from 21 research sites across the United States.
Antonio Raviele
Antonio Raviele (Venice, Italy), cofounder of the VeniceArrhythmias congress, implanted the first intravenous defibrillator lead in Italy. He spoke to Cardiac Rhythm News about this experience, his current research, his projects dedicated to enhance awareness on cardiac arrhythmias and the highlights of VeniceArrhythmias 2013
Latin American health policies adversely affect treatment of cardiac arrhythmias in the continent
Public health expenditure in Latin America is directed mainly to tackle diseases and social problems that kill the young population but not to treat cardiac diseases (including arrhythmias), which mainly affect older people, writes Diego Vanegas, Bogota, Colombia
Chinese electrophysiology market to grow approximately 20% in 2013
According to research by the Millennium Research Group, the Chinese electrophysiology market will grow approximately 20% in 2013, based on the largest available sampling of ablation procedures.
St Jude Medical acquires Endosense
St Jude Medical has announced the acquisition of Endosense. The acquisition adds to the company's electrophysiology portfolio. St Jude Medical has made an initial payment of approximately 159 million Swiss Francs (US$170 million) and acquired 100% of the outstanding equity of Endosense.
ESC and AEPC release consensus statement on paediatric arrhythmias
The consensus on paediatric arrhythmias is the first European statement concerning the diagnosis and management of paediatric arrhythmias. It is also the first joint document between European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology AEPC.
Complete pulmonary vein isolation more effective in atrial fibrillation treatment
Complete linear lesions when using catether ablation to isolate pulmonary veins have been shown to be more effective than incomplete lesions in preventing recurrence of atrial fibrillation, according to results from the GAP-AF study presented at a late-breaking trial session of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) Europace meeting (23-26 June, Athens, Greece).
Multicentre European study set to evaluate HeartLight system for persistent atrial fibrillation
A study is to be the first to prospectively assess the outcomes of pulmonary vein isolation with balloon ablation catheters in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation, according to a company release.
Boston Scientific to acquire Bard EP
Boston Scientific has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Bard EP, the electrophysiology business of CR Bard, for US$275 million in cash. The company expects to close the transaction in the second half of 2013, subject to customary closing conditions.
John D Day
John D Day is the medical director at Intermountain Heart Rhythm Specialists, Utah, USA. He spoke to Cardiac Rhythm News about his career achievements, the atrial fibrillation ablation programme at the Intermountain Heart Institute, his research on atrial fibrillation and Alzheimer's disease.